well I have a goldfish with those little puffy heads (sorry for not knowing the real name lol ) but anyways...He always seems to float to the top of the tank. And recently hes just staying at the bottom and he still breathes and stuff but hes just laying there...I should get some pics up soon. Ill get them rite now...brb

EDIT: heres a picture of him....I just need to know some possible sicknesses....

What size tank is your fish in? If he is in something small without adequate filtration (which is usually the case with goldfish, unfortunately) he is most likely suffering from ammonia poisoning.

Give us a little background info on the tank. Hows long's it been set up?? What fish are in it??? How often do you do maintainence/water changes?? If you give us a little bit more info on your fish we can help you better.

OK well of course I keep them with a filter. I'm not keeping them in bad conditions. I have had this goldfish with the other three for about 1 year now. (well hes with other goldfish and theres 4 all together in a 10GAL) Yes I cycled for a month for nitrate etc. I think naming a sickness would help me better? and how to cure it?

EDIT: oh and I also change the water every week 20% and siphoning. Oh and he just started acting weird after yesterdays water change. Even though I used medication...

One thing that strikes me as odd is the size of the eye compared to the rest of the fish. Not a good sign according to discus keepers as it shows the fish has been stunted by conditions. However young fish do tend to have larger eyes but it still looks too large for the fish's body. I agree with what fish said. This ten gallon isn't suitable in the long run for 4 goldfish.

Last edited by nonamethefish on 2005.08.04(Thu)20:21; edited 1 time in total

I might not have told you but they a VERY SMALL. Its not like theyre all huge.. they don't need a 50GAL theyre like 7inches all together
I think its ridiculous how some peoeplexagerate and say I need a 50 GAL for 4 gold fish....well any way he died. I didn't find any of your posts helpful except the one abt fish bloat. you guys just criticied my tank size and didn't even help me at all except make me feel bad. I'm only 13 I don't have money to throw around for a 50gal for 7 inches of fish._________________55GAL- Mbuna Tank
29GAL- Holding Tank
10GAL- Goldfish Tank
2 GAL- Live Food Container

Sorry he died and sorry you felt attacked the picture made me think they were bigger I hope you still hang out here because we need more goldfish keepers.
Some of us don't ask questions like we should and spout off with out complete information. though you will still likely here "get a bigger tank" and golds grow rather quickly so I would suggest just keeping an Eye out for tanks at garage sale's so you won't have to spend too much.

I am very sorry you lost your fish. I, like you, find that everyone here is very ready to find fault with tank size or condition. Perhaps now at least some will be advised that that prejudging is not very helpful. I no longer post questions here for that reason. I come in and read the board only. sometimes it has good information.

The reason why you need roughly ten gallons per goldfish is because how MASSIVE they get and the amount of waste they produce. They are constantly digging around in the substrate and upsetting the ammonia in the gravel. Comets can grow to be 12 inches. Black moores and lion heads can grow to be 7 inches long and a couple inches thick. That's why the rule of thumb for goldfish is 15-20 gallons for one fish, and then 10 gallons for each additional fish. They can live for 20 years if given that space. If not, their growth will be stunted, and they will only live a quarter of their lifespan.